Fit Trips You Should Take This New Year

The majority of people in the U.S. are using only 77 percent of their paid time off. Use of vacation days is at the lowest point in four decades. More than 222 million such days remained unredeemed in 2015, according to the U.S. Travel Association.

Doing your best to reverse the trend should be your primary resolution for 2017. The dollar is strong, which means you can get a lot of bang for your buck whether you go to Europe, Africa or Asia. The adventure of seeing a new place, meeting new people, and trying new food are always alluring ideas. Getting fit at the same time is a dream come true.

Snorkel in the clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand; go mountain biking down the most dangerous road in the world; and go on a surfing trip to one of the coolest surf cities in the world, at one of the best surf schools.

Fitness Trips For 2017

Ride An Ironman Bike Course

With tour operators Ride & Seek and Big Island Bike Tours, ride the roads of Hawaii's grueling and windy Ironman bike course, through coffee plantations and up the world's largest active volcano, the 13,677-foot Mauna Loa. You'll also get to soak away any muscle soreness in the heated tide pools of Kapoho.

Explore The Amazon Jungle

Home to one of the world's largest and most complex ecosystems, the Amazon Rainforest has captivated travelers for decades. The forest, still full of mystery and stunning scenery, is far from easy to navigate. Outfitters offer a variety of options. Most tours include hikes, wildlife viewing and camping. Take jungle walks, explore the river's edge at night with spotlights and navigate in canoes through Anavilhanas National Park.

Snorkel And Kayak In Thailand

On an Adventure Life trip, snorkel the clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand, home to abundant coral and marine life, and spend a day exploring the uninhabited islands of Angthong Marine Park by kayak. There’s also plenty of time to relax on the idyllic beaches of Koh Samui.

Bike Down The "Death Road"

This will be one of the craziest adventures in your life. Widely called the most dangerous road in the world, and informally named "El Camino de la Muerte" by locals, Bolivia's North Yungus Road has been attracting fearless mountain bikers for years. The 40-mile stretch descends more than 11,000 feet over unpaved, tight roads, which overlook sheer drops, often without guardrails.

Surf Simply in Nosara, Costa Rica

Nosara is one of the coolest surf cities in the world and Surf Simply is one of the best surf schools. Try its one and two week, all-inclusive courses. Instructors like to say that they teach you how to teach yourself how to surf. You will work specific skills behind the sport and then break down the

Trek Inca Trail To Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail in Peru is by far one of most famous hikes in the world. Adventurers, who don't mind crowds, hike 26 miles in about 4-5 days, conquering taxing ascends and descends. The rewards come in the form of getting close to ancient ruins, exploring the jungle, being inspired by gorgeous mountain scenery, and seeing the iconic Machu Picchu.

Fat Biking In Wyoming

The fat bike phenomenon has taken hold in the past few years, prompting seasonal cyclists to make the switch and ride year-round. The Wyoming wilderness offers some of the best opportunities for the adventurous sport. Roll the big wheels on the trails around Turpin Meadow Ranch in Moran and on the snow-covered roads of Grand Teton National Park.

Try Waterfall Kayaking

Kayaking over waterfalls is considered the Holy Grail of the sport. The biggest challenge is staying in the boat after the fall. This is hard to do when you are plunging at 60-90 miles per hour, hitting a huge volume of water. But you can try smaller waterfalls for the sake of the experience.

Trek With Gorillas In Rwanda

Encounter some of the last remaining mountain gorillas in the world on a Gondwana EcoTours trek into the lush forests of Rwanda, home to hundreds of species of birds and numerous waterfalls. You’ll also track chimpanzees and the golden monkey, and watch for elephants and buffalo.